Sonu Sood named Punjab icon by the Election Commission

The announcement was made on Twitter by the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.

It read, "The real hero of people is now the state icon of Punjab - Sonu Sood."

Sood, 47, has been hailed as a national hero for his philanthropic work during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

He arranged transport facilities and food for countless migrant workers, a section badly hit by the health crisis.

Sood, who belongs to Punjab's Moga district, said he is overwhelmed by his appointment as the state icon. "I am overwhelmed and extremely grateful for this honor."

"Having been born in Punjab, this appointment means so much to me, emotionally. I am happy to have made my state proud of me and I am motivated to keep working hard," the actor added.

Sood has helped many needy workers amid the COVID-19 crisis.

He arranged buses and train as well as flight tickets to help migrant workers reach home during the lockdown.

He also made his hotel in Mumbai available for healthcare workers and provided PPE kits to doctors.

Not only that, the actor arranged free meals for thousands of people in Mumbai and neighboring areas.

Sood had also recently announced that he is writing a book to recount his experience of helping migrants during the lockdown.

The book, titled I Am No Messiah, will be co-written by Meena Iyer. It is expected to be out in December this year.

"This is a story of my life, as much as it is of the thousands of migrant workers," Sood said.